Why use fire trucks for traffic control? Because it's what we are trained to
do!

Mr. Field should ask those of us who do the
job before he assumes he knows our job.

Using fire apparatus to PROTECT the scene of a major accident does just that.
Protects firefighters
and paramedics while they are on scene. When
the police show up (usually 5 to 10 minutes after DFD
arrival), the apparatus that responded leaves
the scene unless a further hazard exists that requires they remain.

Each apparatus that has been struck by "oncoming
traffic" has saved numerous firefighter/paramedics from serious injury or
death. Damage to a piece of DFD apparatus is
MUCH cheaper than the death of an officer. A
replacement truck or engine is placed in service while the regular apparatus
is being repaired so the"much needed asset" is not
out of service.

What did he mean by in earlier years
before the Fire Department "barricade" escapades?
We have always responded to major accidents
with an engine and an ambulance. DFD members are both firefighters AND
paramedics.

If you want information about DFD procedures, ask us.

Commander X:
This is a rebuttal to Phillip Menshew's rebuttal to Rad
Fields' comments on Dallas FireRescue response to
accidents on freeways. I wouldrather not use my
name because I worked for the
DFD for over 35 years and was in a command position.I know the policies and why they were put intoeffect.
Using 1 engine, 1 micu and 1 truck
to answer any problem on freeways: Due to delayed
police response (that's another item that could standsome investigation), increased speeds by civilians whorefuse to slow down for emergency equipment, andreally slow response by wreckers. The Department'sresponse to having several accidents was to useatleast 1 additional piece of equipment
costing over$300,000 and 4 additional personnel
to act as abarricade to protect the people
working the accident.The normal response to an accident
without peoplepinned (meaning rescue is not
involved) is anywherebut the freeway, 1 engine
and 1 micu. This policy hasunnecessary people
and equipment out of service for noother reason than to barricade the freeway when theyshould be available for emergency response. Thiscauses delayed response in the areas surrounding thefreeway putting undue strain on the system. You might
think of this as the way Congress reacts to a
problemby passing an act that either creates
three unforeseen problems or makes the original
problem worse. I willbe happy to share my knowledge about the
workingsof the DFD if
your readers are interested.

Ward politics is the
Devil's key to the soul of the city council. It is how some
council members got themselves in trouble in the past. It is
the bait that will get others in trouble in the future. 4/6/8